On a chilly morning in Bydgoszcz, Poland, in 2010, a young Faith Kipyegon stood at the start line of the World Cross Country Championships.
Barefoot, her petite frame almost lost among the seasoned runners, she was a 16-year-old who had barely begun her journey in the world of athletics. Despite the daunting competition, Kipyegon, calm and composed, was about to introduce herself to the world.
Born in the highlands of Kenya’s Rift Valley, Kipyegon’s entry into athletics was serendipitous, almost like magic, as she would later describe it. A primary school teacher recognized her talent and introduced her to running.
Prior to that, she had been playing football and doing gymnastics. The young girl quickly found that running came naturally to her, and she began to dominate the Kenyan cross-country circuit, upsetting more experienced runners and making a name for herself as a fierce competitor.
Her breakout moment on the global stage came in Bydgoszcz, where she finished fourth in the World Cross Country Championships, becoming the youngest athlete in the top 20.
A year later, in 2011, Kipyegon, still running barefoot, claimed her first global title at the World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbria, Spain.
Her victory was the first of many milestones in a career that has seen her become one of the greatest middle-distance runners in history.
At just 18, Kipyegon was selected to represent Kenya at the London 2012 Olympics, the youngest member of her team. Despite her youth and inexperience, she held her own among the world’s elite, gaining invaluable experience that would propel her to future greatness.
Kipyegon’s rise in the senior category was swift, filling a void left by the departure of 2008 Olympic champion Nancy Jebet Lagat. Her journey to the top had only just begun.
The turning point in Kipyegon’s career came at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Already a World silver medalist, Kipyegon was determined to win gold.
In Rio, she faced fierce competition from the likes of Genzebe Dibaba and Sifan Hassan, but Kipyegon had something they didn’t: an unshakeable belief in herself and her training.
Her victory in the 1500m was not just a personal triumph but a historic moment for Kenya, as she became the first Kenyan woman to win Olympic gold in that event.
Reflecting on that moment, Kipyegon said, “I want to do this for my country. I want to do this for myself. I want to do this for the next young girl to know that if a young girl can win a gold medal, why not us?”
Her victory was more than just a win on the track; it was a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless young girls in Kenya and beyond.
Kipyegon’s win in Rio was the beginning of a period of dominance in women’s middle-distance running. She won gold at the 2017 World Championships, becoming the first Kenyan woman to win the 1500m title.
After taking a break from the sport to give birth, she returned to win silver at the 2019 World Championships. But Kipyegon was far from done. Motherhood, she says, changed her mentally, giving her even greater motivation to succeed.
By 2023, Kipyegon had become an unstoppable force. Unbeaten in 15 races over her favored 1500m, she was not content with merely winning. Her personal best of 3:50.37, while impressive, fell agonizingly short of the world record set by Genzebe Dibaba.
Driven by her relentless pursuit of excellence, Kipyegon shattered not just one, but three world records in 2023: the 1500m, the mile, and the 5000m.
Her new world record of 3:49.04 in the 1500m, set in her second race of the season, is a testament to her extraordinary talent and work ethic.
For Kipyegon, the motivation to push beyond her limits comes from a deep love of the sport and a desire to inspire the next generation.
“It’s the love of the sport. Wanting to inspire the young generation and the young girls around the world, that you can also take athletics as a profession,” she says.
Her dedication to her craft is unwavering, with a training regimen that includes a 30km run with 20 other athletes in Kaptagat, where she trains under the guidance of renowned coach Patrick Sang.
Despite her remarkable achievements, Kipyegon remains humble, attributing her success to hard work, discipline, and the grace of God. She is aware of the challenges that come with being an elite athlete but embraces them with a champion’s mentality.
“If you are in training, and you don’t feel pain, next thing you are going to a race, and you don’t perform good. But if you have that pain, it’s a success,” she explains.
As Kipyegon prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics, she stands on the brink of making history once again. No runner has ever won three Olympic titles in the 1500m, but Kipyegon is determined to be the first.
“The dream is just to get that gold medal… bring that gold medal home,” she says with quiet determination.
Faith Kipyegon’s story is one of perseverance, resilience, and an unyielding belief in her abilities. She is not just a record-breaker; she is a trailblazer, a symbol of hope, and a true champion.
As she chases her third Olympic gold, she carries with her the dreams of a nation and the hopes of countless young girls who see in her the possibility of greatness.
Source: Paris Olympics
